« We truly believe that if everyone danced, the world would be a better place. We try to persuade other people of this by teaching, performing and dancing with as many people as possible at Blues and Swing dance events all around the world.

Blues dance is our passion.  We love the connection you share with another person when you dance, we love the freedom of improvisation, we love throwing down to live music in the early hours of the morning. But most of all, we love passing this passion onto other people and helping them discover joy through it.

Blues is an African American music and dance.  As teachers who are not from this culture we will never stop educating ourselves about the history, cultural values and the social context of the dance in order to honour the art form and the people who created it. We strive to pass on what we are learning to our students in classes by connecting the dance to its historical roots and cultural values. »

Anne-Hélène and Bernard are world famous as swing and blues teachers, performers and choreographers. They fell in love with lindyhop dance in 1997, and became quickly a reference in the French community, thanks to Anne-Hélène’s skills in classic and modern jazz, and the sense of rhythm of Bernard as a blues musician. Since 2001 they are professional teachers, first in France and Europe, and then all around the world to share their passion.

Since they met in 2012, Cédric and Caroline have decided to combine their competences in order to develop both their qualities of dancers and teachers.
Together, they felt in love with blues since the beggining of their partenership. They have practised and danced a lot to understand how a movement can be easily initiated, from both side of the couple, and how to adapt it to the music.

You will be able to appreciate their dynamic classes, a delicate blend of Cédric’s humor, and Caroline’s poetry. Both of them are keen to impart their ideas through a very progressive pedagogy. One that approaches technique in a very precise and detailed manner, and also teaches movements combining basics, surprises, musicality and grace. Whereas Cédric reminds you of the big principles of musicality, Caroline invites you to explore sensations, emotions and personal expression.

Alina had always dreamt of learning to dance, but she could never have imagined that dance would transform her life as it did. Beginning with lindy hop in her hometown of Minsk in 2013, she quickly immersed herself in the spirit of swing. Shortly after taking her first steps in blues, she sensed that a profound change had already begun.

Traveling across Europe and inspired by international instructors, she eventually realized that dancing was the optimal way to express herself: « Dance is an endless field for creativity; here, you can be a poet, a musician, a sculptor, and an artist all at once. » This concept has become the driving force behind Alina’s creativity.

In her classes, Alina places special emphasis on improvisation and authenticity, believing that these are the most effective ways for everyone to discover their own means of self-expression. Her classes offer a captivating journey of discovery, enriched by her clear presentation of the material and the infectious energy she brings to them. As an instructor, she aims to help her students feel, direct, and translate the energy of blues music into visual shapes, always mindful of the the distinct aesthetics that this music inspires.

Since 2019, Alina has been living in France, where she, alongside her partner Nicolas Naman, conducts regular classes at their school, Dance Addict, located in Rennes. Together, they are growing a local blues and swing community, giving classes both nationally and internationally, and organizing numerous events throughout the year.

Catherine Palmier assists individuals in unleashing their authentic movement, offering guided explorations to refine their dance using grounded organic movement, effortless power, and fluid grace.

With over 20 years of professional dance experience, academic training, and knowledge of multiple dance styles, Catherine, skillfully and with a keen movement sensibility, helps dancers discover the origin and understanding of their movement. She draws from performance concepts, emotions, visualizations, memories, body mechanics, sensations, and alignment to help her students understand the aesthetic and essence of a dance style or dance.

Catherine hopes her students receive insight, playfulness, and enthusiasm from her work, enabling them to develop their signature style within their dance.

Catherine’s ability to interpret various dance styles and proficiency in revealing the unlimited nature of West African dance and dances from the African diaspora makes her appealing to dancers of any genre or experience level.

Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Gérard Diby joined the National Ballet at just 14 years old as a soloist. In 1999, he won first prize at the Variétoscope competition with the Marcory group, then went on to perform with several major companies such as Marawé, Kiyi M’Bock, and Koteba, where he created acclaimed pieces like Dozo and Alamo, touring extensively across Africa.

He rejoined the National Ballet in 1999 for a major tour through Africa and Europe (notably the Festival de Martigues), before settling in Paris. There, he joined the Georges Momboye Company and performed in iconic works such as Adjaya, Tahaman, Boyakoda, and Empreintes Maasaï.

At the same time, he trained in contemporary and jazz dance in France with Corinne Lancelle, Thierry Vergès, and Rick Odums, and earned his State Diploma (DE) in jazz from the CND (Centre National de la Danse).

In 2002, he joined the Clara Scotch Group (Philippe Jamet) and created two solos for Portraits Dansés – Le Tour du Monde. He performed at the Fort-de-France Cultural Festival alongside the Mahotella Queens, and later joined La Calebasse Company (Merlin Nyakam) in Récréation Primitive.

As a dancer and actor, he also starred in the musical Kirikou and Karaba, and continues to expand his international collaborations: Mama Africa Festival (Italy), Raízes (Brazil), AncestrOs (Turin), and a quartet created for the group Odwalla (Italy).

A career marked by excellence, creativity, and a strong artistic commitment across Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Gospel singer Sister Nat, also known as Natacha Maratrat, has been touring across France for over 20 years, performing concerts that showcase her original Gospel compositions. Most recently, she released her latest album, Where is Love?, in February 2024. Since 2004, she has been sharing her teaching approach, which is rooted in deep listening—exploring the meaning and rhythm at the heart of Gospel music to awaken the Gospel within you. For more information, visit www.sisternat.com.

Trained in ballet and contemporary dance in the United States and France (notably with choreographers David Dorfman and Maguy Marin), Jacqueline deepened her theoretical and critical understanding through a Master’s degree in Dance at Paris 8 University. Through teaching GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®, Jacqueline finds joy in fluid movement that is accessible to everyone. She emphasizes expansion from within (breath), which helps us connect with the outside world (our environment and the people around us). These practices focus on spinal mobility, which provides access to the deep muscles in a playful way.

Aliuska Barrientos is a dancer and teacher specialized in traditional and Afro-Cuban dances. Born in Santiago de Cuba, she joined the Conjunto Ballet Folklorico de Oriente in 2003, the most prestigious Afro-Cuban traditional dance company in her province. Since moving to Paris in 2007, Aliuska has been teaching various disciplines, including Rumba, Afro-Cuban dances, Reggaeton, and Lady Style Cubano. She gives her classes at the Elegua dance school, located in the heart of Paris, where she shares her passion and expertise.